I remember that time when BTS debuted, I was preparing for my final professional exam which was about a month away. The exam determines whether I graduate or my study time will be extended. They debuted with the song No More Dream, that totally grabbed my attention as they are addressing the thought that I have in my mind. At that time, not many songs have meaningful lyrics, be it Malay song, English song or kpop song. And for me, a good song should have good lyrics. So I totally appreciate this song with meaningful lyrics.
Back to their debut song, it's a song that talks about teenagers having unspecified dreams like wanting a big house, big car and big rings, living in luxury. But truthfully, they don't have a real pathway towards those dreams. They go to school, aiming to be admitted to prestigious university because that is what everyone has been doing. Plus, becoming a government official is the public definition of being successful. The lyrics asked, What is your dream? A question that I no longer have the answer. I mean, I didn't have any other aim other than graduating medical school ever since I started my first year. I used to have a few ambitions that wasn't really in the mainstream when I was younger though, and attending medical school wasn't even in the list. Hence, I have some regret about my inability to walk towards those dream. That question asking 'what is your dream' totally picked on my sore spot. But since I was already almost at the end of the road, there's nothing much to think about, but to pass the exam and graduate.
At that time, I was stressed out about passing the exam as I don't think I have the strength and motivation to go on if I failed the exam. Many thoughts came to my mind, such as why am I in this field, why don't I have any other talent, why am I unable to walk towards my ambition, what can I do if I ever flunked this exam, etc. Well, those thoughts have been there along the 6 years journey and it was augmented by the tension of passing the final exam to graduate. To be honest, I managed to stay for the whole 6 years thanks to the support of my batchmates and some good friends. Otherwise, I might have deferred.
My first impression
I wasn't a big fan of hip hop song, but thanks to the meaningful lyrics and catchy song, I love it. The song is asking the teenagers to be bold and to have dream, instead of going with the flow of the mass opinion, which I totally agree to. The world have changed, and we need enthusiastic people in their own fields, instead of being there because they had to. I personally think that people who love their job are bound to have more achievement, which is good for the improvement in the community. If we think about how our ancestors could have breakthrough achievements despite their limitations, I believe it is due to their enthusiasm and passion that they are able to do so.
Hence I kept BTS under my radar, waiting to see what other kind of song would they come out with. My first impression was J-hope is so handsome, he must be the visual of the group. Chibi-like Jimin is so cute, he seems like BTS mascot, as he is always in the center and he is the only one wearing sleeveless shirt. As for RM, I felt like he could be better styled. But still, he wasn't as bad as UKISS' debut style! Suga's cute look doesn't fit his fire-spitting rap. I had thought that he must have been talked into it by the company. Hahah but apparently not! Jin looks like a well-mannered kid trying to rebel! V totally looks like a rebel and Jungkook was so young!
No More Dream (translated lyrics from Genius English translations)
Hey, what's your dream?
Hey, what’s your dream?
Hey, what's your dream?
Hey, is that your dream?
[Verse 1: SUGA, RM, Jungkook]
I wanna big house, big cars & big rings
But in reality, I don't have any big dreams
Haha I live an easy life
Even if I don’t dream, no one says anything to me
Everyone is thinking the same as me
When we were still young I said I'll go to some university
Okay, mum, I'm going to the library
[Pre-Chorus: V, j-hope]
What is the you that you dreamed of?
Who do you see in your mirror, I gotta say
Go your own way
Even if you live a day
Do something
Put weakness away
[Verse 2: Jung Kook]
Why don't you say anything? You don't want to study
You're too afraid to quit the school, right? See, you're getting ready for school
Grow up, don't just talk, You have a glass mentality, boy
(Stop!) Ask yourself, when did you try hard
[Pre-hook: RM]
Hey, what’s your dream?
Hey, what’s your dream?
Hey, what's your dream?
Hey, is that your dream?
[Chorus: Jung Kook, Jimin]
It’s a lie, you such a liar
See me, see me ya, you're hypocrite
Why are you telling me to go another way? Do well yourself!
Please don't force me
(La la la la la)
What's you dream? What’s your dream?
(La la la la la)
Is that your dream? Is that your dream?
[Verse 3: SUGA]
Boring same day, every day repeats
Adults and parents tell us the same dream
Future job number one, public officials?
It's not a forced dream, a relief pitcher
[Verse 4: j-hope]
Throw a fastball to the self-study time that is a waste of time
Disobey the hell-like society pardon the dream
Ask yourself 'bout the profile of your dream
Become the subject of your own life, away from suppression
[Pre-Chorus: Jin, Jimin]
What is the you that you dreamed of?
Who do you see in your mirror, I gotta say
Go your own way
Even if you live a day
Do something
Put weakness away
[Pre-hook: RM]
Hey, what's your dream?
Hey, what's your dream?
Hey, what's your dream?
Hey, is that your dream?
[Chorus: Jung Kook, Jimin]
It's a lie, you such a liar
See me, see me ya, you're hypocrite
Why are you telling me to go another way? Do well yourself!
Please don't force me
(La la la la la)
What's you dream? What's your dream?
(La la la la la)
Is that your dream? Is that your dream?
[Bridge: RM, SUGA, Jung Kook]
Don't know how to live
Don't know how to fly
Don't know how to decide
Don't know how to dream now
Open, open, open your eyes again
Dance , dance, dance again
Dream, dream, dream again
Don't hesitate, don't hesitate, wassup!
[Chorus: Jung Kook, RM]
It's a lie, you such a liar
See me, see me ya, you're hypocrite
Why are you telling me to go another way? Do well yourself!
Don't push others!
(La la la la la)
What's you dream? What's your dream?
(La la la la la)
Is that your dream? Is that your dream?
[Outro: RM]
To all the youngsters without dreams
